Electronic Filing of International Airline Passenger Rules Tariffs

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

14 CFR Part 221

[Docket No. 50355; Notice No. 12]

RIN 2105-AC23

Electronic Filing of International Airline Passenger Rules

Tariffs

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule authorizes airlines to electronically file tariff

rules governing availability of passenger fares and their conditions of

service, subject to certain minimal format requirements. The

Department's regulations have permitted the electronic filing of

passenger fares since 1989. The Department is undertaking this action

in support of the administration's campaign to reinvent government and

at the request of tariff publishing agents in order to extend the

efficiencies of electronic data transmission and processing to the

filing of passenger rules tariffs.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation is effective on April 24, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Keith A. Shangraw or Mr. John H.

Kiser, Office of the Secretary, Office of International Aviation,

Pricing and Multilateral Affairs Division, Department of

Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590.

Telephone: (202) 366-2435.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On May 19, 1995, the Department published a Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking (NPRM) to authorize electronic filing of airline tariff

rules governing international passenger fares and the general

conditions of service associated with their use (60 FR 26848). The

proposed action would largely eliminate the filing of paper tariff

rules, an archaic system that no longer meets the data transmission and

processing requirements of the industry or the Department. In addition,

it will save the airline industry over a million dollars in tariff

submission, printing and distribution costs and will substantially

reduce the Department's review, filing and storage expenses.

The Department's regulations have permitted the electronic filing

of

[[Page 18071]]

international passenger fare levels and associated data in tariffs

since 1989, as an alternative to the filing of paper fares tariffs (54

FR 2087, January 19, 1989).1 The regulation, contained in Subpart

W of Part 221, established a number of criteria that must be met for

carriers or their agents to make such filings, including a signed

agreement or agreements providing for the maintenance and security of

the on-line tariff database. Approval by the Department of an

application containing various hardware and software service

commitments, as well as the filer's proposed format, is also required.

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\1\ Associated data include arbitraries, footnotes, routing

numbers and fare class explanations. See 14 CFR sections 221.4 and

221.283.

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ATPCO, a publishing agent owned by and representing a number of

U.S. and foreign airlines, was initially the only entity that applied

for authority to make electronic fare filings under the rule. In

December 1989, it received final approval from the Department to

commence official electronic filings. On November 28, 1990, ATPCO filed

a petition for rulemaking in Docket 47288, requesting the amendment of

Part 221 to permit the alternative electronic filing of all

international tariffs. The petition included suggested regulatory

changes to accommodate the filing of passenger and cargo rules, and

cargo rates.

In February 1992, the Department permitted ATPCO to begin filing

electronic passenger rules that apply to specific fare types on an

unofficial test basis. The official fare rules, however, continue to be

filed on paper. In addition, ATPCO has not completed development of

electronic formats for general passenger rules relating to conditions

of carriage; these too, continue to be filed on paper.

By a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published October 15, 1992, in

Docket 48385, 57 FR 47303, the Department proposed extensive revisions

to Part 221 to permit the electronic filing of all international

tariffs. Following a comment period and a public meeting, the proposal

was withdrawn for further study of various technical issues, and the

proceeding was terminated. 58 FR 12350, March 4, 1993.

Requests for Further Action

Since the termination of the 1992 rulemaking, ATPCO has informally

urged the Department to take whatever actions may be necessary to

develop the capability for the acceptance and processing of all tariffs

electronically.

In addition, another entity demonstrated interest in filing

international tariffs electronically with the Department. The Societe

Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautiques (SITA), a tariff

publishing service which developed an electronic tariff filing system

for use in Europe and elsewhere, demonstrated its ProFile system to the

Department's staff and made modifications to accommodate U.S.

requirements and procedures. On June 21, 1994, SITA submitted an

application under section 221.260 for the necessary Department

approvals to permit it to begin filing international passenger tariffs,

encompassing fares and rules to the extent authorized by the

Department, and SITA has filed passenger fares on an unofficial test

basis. However, on November 10, 1995, SITA withdrew its application,

stating that its proposed filing service has not encountered the

anticipated international endorsement by government authorities and

airlines.

The Proposal

In the May 1995 NPRM the Department proposed to amend section

221.251 of Subpart W of its tariff filing regulations, 14 CFR Part 221,

to authorize the electronic filing by all airlines and tariff

publishing agents of any or all rules relating to the provision of

passenger services.2 Like the filing of passenger fare levels

already authorized, this alternative to the traditional paper format

and procedures set forth in Part 221 would be permissive in nature, and

would be governed by the provisions of Subpart W. This Subpart would

authorize the electronic filing of all tariff material relating to

passenger services that airlines are required to file with the

Department, although the existing requirements for final approval of a

particular electronic tariff filing system and its associated formats,

set forth in Subpart W, must be complied with before the Department

will accept authorized electronic filings as official tariffs.

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\2\ The proposed amendment to section 221.251, as drafted, did

not encompass the filing of cargo rates and rules tariffs. By a

final rule issued November 30, 1995, the Department exempted all

carriers from the statutory and regulatory duty to file

international property (cargo) tariffs with the Department, and the

carriers ceased filing all cargo rates and rules tariffs on that

date (60 FR 61472).

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The Department also proposed to amend section 221.283 of subpart W

to add certain minimum tariff format requirements to provide a basic

working framework for the processing of tariff rules, which differ from

fare filings in many technical respects. The existing format

requirements set forth in section 221.283(b)(8), developed largely for

the processing of fares and associated data, would not be changed but

would be described as specifically applicable to the filing of fares.

The new format requirements for the filing of rules would be set forth

in a new section 221.283(b)(9).3 The provisions would not

necessarily have to be presented in the same order as listed in

proposed section 221.283(b)(9), but each rule would have to include at

least all of the listed provisions.4 Consequential amendments

would be made to provisions regarding maintenance of historical data

(paragraph (c) of section 221.283, and section 221.260(b)(7)).

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\3\ The NPRM also noted that most individual format issues have

been and will continue to be resolved through consultations between

the Department and individual filing agents, as provided in section

221.260(b)(1) of the current regulations. However, the Department

recognizes that there may be a need to propose further amendments to

Part 221 to deal comprehensively with general format and procedural

issues, as well as with the question of the appropriate filing fees

to be charged in the future, as soon as more data and experience are

available.

\4\ We would consider each provision of an electronic tariff

rule to be a ``record'' for purposes of assessing filing fees under

14 CFR sections 389.20(b) and 389.25(b).

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Three format issues were raised for comment in the NPRM. First, our

proposed format criteria did not address the filing format of so-called

``general'' fare rules and ``unpublished fare'' rules. General fare

rules typically include provisions, applicable to all passengers,

relating to general conditions of carriage such as liability, baggage,

fare construction, and refunds. Unpublished fare rules typically

establish discounts for certain classes of traffic not limited to

specific markets, e.g., children and infants, agents, tour conductors,

emigrants and cargo attendants. Electronic formats for filing general

and unpublished fare rules are still under development by the industry.

Second, we proposed not to accept ``Intentionally Left Blank'' as a

category entry in an electronic fare rule, nor would we accept the

complete omission of a rule category to serve as a default to a general

rule.5 These practices, which have been a source of confusion in

the paper filing environment, would become increasingly confusing in an

environment where the fare rules are filed electronically but the

general rules are still filed on paper. Where carriers wish to default

to a general rule for a particular condition, we proposed to require

that electronic rules contain a specific entry for each category in the

rule. The entry could be either a specific reference to the relevant

general rule or

[[Page 18072]]

specific conditions extracted from the general rule.

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\5\ Under the Department's interpretation, where a particular

provision is intentionally left blank in a rule, no such provision

applies to the fare covered by the rule. For example, where the

``group requirements'' section is left blank, it means there are no

group requirements.

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Third, in the test electronic rules we have received thus far,

carriers have been including some extraneous material that is not

properly part of a tariff and of which we take no regulatory notice,

e.g., provisions concerning ticket and booking codes and annotations,

wait listing procedures, and reservation record requirements. We

recognize that carriers submit such material to their filing agents

along with associated fare and rule changes for non-regulatory

purposes, such as notifying computer reservations systems of the

carrier's technical procedures. However, this extraneous material is

not approved by the Department, and its inclusion in official

electronic rules would cause confusion. Therefore, our proposal

precluded inclusion of such material in official electronic tariff

filings.

Comments

We received comments on our proposal from Aer Lingus; Air France;

ATPCO; American Airlines, Inc.; British Airways, PLC; SITA; United Air

Lines, Inc.; and USAir, Inc.6 In general, all commenters support

the proposal in principle. Most, however, expressed reservations

concerning the formatting issues discussed in the NPRM. The formatting

drawing the most extensive comments from carriers and agents involves

the filing of ``extraneous material''. ATPCO also commented extensively

on issues relating to general rule defaults and formats.

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\6\ The submissions of Aer Lingus and Air France were both

accompanied by motions to file comments out of time, which we will

grant.

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Decision

We have decided to adopt the rule substantially as proposed.

However, we will make certain changes regarding the formatting issues

in response to the comments.

Discussion of Comments and Issues

Scope of the Proposed Rule

ATPCO requests that the Department take a broader, more flexible

approach that authorizes electronic filing of all tariff material,

subject only to DOT's approval of the filer's format, rather than the

narrow approach, limited to passenger fare rules, it believes has been

taken here. ATPCO contends that Departmental references to future Part

221 amendments, relating to general format and procedural issues and to

filing fees, suggest that the Department is contemplating future

massive changes to Part 221 which would substantially change

requirements governing electronic filing. APTCO has no objection if

these are references to future rulemaking proceedings to ``tie up loose

ends''. However, it does object if the Department is contemplating

sweeping changes to electronic filing rules in place. At a minimum,

ATPCO believes that the Department should explain its future plans for

adopting a comprehensive electronic tariff-filing rule.

It appears that ATPCO has misunderstood the scope and intent of our

NPRM and believes that the proposed rule only authorizes the electronic

filing of passenger fare rules. In fact, proposed Part 221.251 (a)

states that ``[a]ny carrier * * * may file its international passenger

fare tariffs and international passenger rules tariffs electronically *

* *''. This includes passenger fare rules and general rules. While the

Department has indicated that additional changes in Part 221 may be

necessary to deal with general format and procedural issues, we have

resolved most individual format issues, in the past, through

consultations with individual filing agents, as provided in section

221.260(b)(1) of the current regulations, and fully expect to make use

of this process in the future. Thus ATPCO's general rule format, when

it is developed, could be reviewed and approved by the Department

independently of any future amendments to Part 221. The same process

could also apply to formats for the electronic filing of unpublished

fare rules and for routing tariffs.

Intentionally Left Blank

ATPCO also requested elimination of the proposed format criteria

under which the Department would not accept ``Intentionally Left

Blank'' as a category entry in an electronic fare rule, or the complete

omission of a rule category to serve as a default to a general rule.

While not objecting to the exclusion of ``Intentionally Left Blank'',

ATPCO is concerned about a required specific reference to the general

rule or conditions extracted from the general rule. It argues that this

would impose a greater regulatory burden than is now required for paper

filings where, in the absence of a provision in a fare rule, the

general rules tariff applies without the need to specify the general

rule. In addition, while ATPCO is presently developing a general rules

format which will provide a ``logical path'' from the fare rule to the

general rule, it maintains that this will not be operational until the

second half of 1996. This delay, it contends, should not prevent users

from reaping the benefits of the electronic filing of fare rules.

Otherwise, it would have to continue to file its rules on paper until

its general rules system is operational, or longer if the Department

requires another rulemaking proceeding.

As noted in the NPRM, the use of ``Intentionally Left Blank'' can

be quite misleading, especially in an electronic filing environment.

This language can be interpreted in two quite different ways: it can be

perceived to mean that there are no provisions applicable for that rule

category, or it can be viewed as a default to provisions set forth in

the general rule. This kind of ambiguity is not acceptable in an

electronic filing environment. Clarity of tariff material has always

been a prime objective of the Department's tariff regulations, and we

affirm our proposal not to accept ``Intentionally Left Blank'' in

electronic rules. We are, however, mindful of ATPCO's statement that it

is developing a logical path from the fare rule to the general rule,

and, therefore, we will not adopt our proposal in the NPRM to require

that the fare rule contain either a specific reference to the

applicable portion of the general rule or an actual extract taken from

the general rule. We believe that any remaining issues related to the

exclusion of ``Intentionally Left Blank'' can be resolved in the

context of an application by ATPCO for approval of its specific

electronic rule filing formats.

``Extraneous Material''

As noted, the formatting issue prompting the most extensive

comments from carriers and agents involves the filing of ``extraneous

material'', such as ticket and booking codes, wait list procedures and

reservations requirements. In general, ATPCO and the U.S. carriers

argue that this information is vital not only to carrier CRS's, but

also to travel agents and the public, since it is essential for the

proper handling of passenger reservations. ATPCO maintains that its

existing, unified filing system is designed to present this information

to all users in the most cost effective, efficient and flexible way.

However, were the requirement regarding non-filing of extraneous

material adopted, the respondents contend that ATPCO would have to

either undertake an expensive and time consuming creation of a separate

data base for the Department, or would have to continue to file carrier

fare rules on paper. ATPCO estimates that ``extraneous information''

constitutes no more than ten percent of the fare rule information, and

believes that filing it on a ``for information purposes only'' basis

would not unduly burden DOT.

[[Page 18073]]

In addition, SITA, supported by British Airways and Air France,

asserts that the Department should accept ticket codes and annotations,

wait listing procedures and reservations record requirements as proper

material for filing in official electronic tariffs. They contend that

this material is part of the conditions imposed by the carriers on a

passenger's use of a fare and, therefore, should be part of the

official filed tariff. This viewpoint, they argue, is supported by two

of the new format requirements proposed in the NPRM which would require

carriers to include specific material relating to reservations/

ticketing and capacity control in their official tariff filings.

Upon consideration of the comments, we have decided not to preclude

inclusion of such material in official electronic tariff filings at

this time, provided that it is sufficiently identified as unofficial

and non-binding. As a threshold matter, we are not persuaded by SITA

and the two foreign carriers that this material should be filed for

approval in official tariffs. While these codes, procedures and other

provisions may have certain informational value for agents and other

carriers, they are not needed by the Department to evaluate proper

tariff material or otherwise perform its regulatory duties, and they

are not, nor have they ever been, reviewed for legal sufficiency or

approved in amy manner under our statute. Moreover, we believe that the

presence of such unofficial material in official filings could

potentially mislead passengers, courts or other carriers into the

assumption that it has the binding legal effect normally accorded to

official tariff material. At the same time, however, we are persuaded

that requiring the immediate exclusion of such material would create an

implementation burden and impose additional programming costs on

carriers and filing agents. While, in the long run, we expect that all

filers will review their software formats and procedures to minimize

the amount of extraneous material appearing in official electronic

filings with the Department, material of the nature may accompany

tariffs provided that it is clearly identified as ``for information

only; not part of official tariff'' in a manner acceptable to the

Department.7 Should confusion persist that such material may be

binding on carriers and passengers as a matter of statute, we may have

to take further action to alleviate the problem.

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\7\ The determination of whether certain fare rule elements are

extraneous and not proper tariff material can be complex. Therefore,

we reserve the right to determine whether material filed ``for

information only; not part of official tariff'' is proper tariff

material or not, and to take appropriate regulatory action should we

decide that it is.

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We wish to reiterate that the amendments proposed leave in place

the procedural and technical requirements of Subpart W, which each

electronic filer must satisfy before official electronic rule filings

can be accepted. In addition to those listed in section 221.260, for

example, are provisions such as those in section 221.500 regarding the

submission of machine-readable copies of records existing when

electronic filing is implemented, and the cancellation of records from

the paper tariff. As noted above, section 221.260 includes the

requirement that the Department approve the precise format used by each

electronic filer before official filings can be made. This is normally

done by letter once a period of successful test filings has been

accomplished and the Department is satisfied that the filing system

meets regulatory needs. However, Subpart W also imposes continuing

performance requirements, violations of which could lead to enforcement

action or even withdrawal of electronic filing privileges.

Finally, we would note that the success of electronic rules filing

will depend on scrupulous adherence to the Department's regulatory

requirements by both carriers and their filing agents. The Department's

staff will be closely monitoring performance in this regard, and will

work with parties to ensure the utility and integrity of the electronic

tariff system.

We find good cause to make this rule effective upon publication

because it allows an alternative means of compliance and relieves

current restrictions.

Regulatory Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this rule

is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 and,

therefore, not subject to OMB review. The Department has determined

that the rule is not significant under the Department's Regulatory

Policies and Procedures (44 CFR 11034; Feb. 26, 1979). The rule reduces

the paperwork burden for all U.S. and foreign air carriers now filing

their passenger rules tariffs on paper. The Department expects the

economic impact of the rule, however, to be modest. The rule will not

result in any required additional costs to the carriers or the public.

It will simply provide an alternative method of meeting the statutory

tariff-filing requirements. The estimated savings are discussed below.

Executive Order 12612

This rule has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and

criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 (``Federalism''), and the

Department has determined the rule does not have sufficient federalism

implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

I certify that this rule will not have a significant economic

impact on a substantial number of small entities. The tariff filing

requirements apply to scheduled service air carriers. The vast majority

of the air carriers filing international (``foreign'') passenger rules

tariffs are large operators with revenues in excess of several million

dollars each year. Small air carriers operating aircraft with 60 seats

or less and 18,000 pounds payload or less that offer on-demand air-taxi

service are not required to file such tariffs.

Paperwork Reduction Act

With respect to the Paperwork Reduction Act, this rule would

replace two paper filings for most rules with a single electronic

filing. Thus, while this rule will significantly reduce the paperwork

burden on government and industry, it does not eliminate information

collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of

Management and Budget pursuant to the Act.

The Department estimates that filing of passenger tariff rule pages

in paper format will be reduced by about ninety percent, with the

remaining ten percent continuing to be filed in paper form. A total of

about 42,000 passenger tariff rule pages and about 6,400 Passenger

Special Tariff Permission Applications (STPA's) were filed in 1994. At

a filing fee of $2 a rule page and $12 a passenger STPA, we estimate

the carriers could save as much as $145,000 annually in filing fees

paid to the Department. In addition, ATPCO charges the carriers $35.00

for each filed tariff page and up to $30.00 for each STPA. On this

basis, we estimate that the rule could save the carriers an additional

$1,500,000 in associated fees paid to ATPCO, producing potential total

savings to the carriers in excess of $1,600,000.

While not estimated, we expect that costs of governmental review,

filing and archiving of paper tariff rule filings will be similarly

reduced.

The reduction in reporting and recordkeeping requirements

associated with this rule are being submitted to

[[Page 18074]]

OMB for approval in accordance with 44 U.S.C. chapter 35 under OMB NO.

2137-AC23; Administration: Department of Transportation; TITLE:

Electronic Filing of Passenger Service Rules Tariffs; NEED FOR

INFORMATION: Authorizes the electronic filing of rules governing the

provision of passenger services; PROPOSED USE OF INFORMATION:

Authorization is based on the request of tariff publishing agents to

extend the efficiencies of electronic data transmission and processing

to the filing of rules tariffs; FREQUENCY: An initial passenger tariff

rule filing is required of each respondent; changes are voluntary,

whenever an air carrier elects; ESTIMATED TOTAL ANNUAL BURDEN UNDER NEW

RULE: 1,312,480 hours; RESPONDENTS: 230; FORM(S) 26,681 electronic

filings, pages or applications per annum; AVERAGE BURDEN HOURS PER

RESPONDENT: 5706 hours.

For further information on paperwork reduction contact: The

Information Requirements Division, M-34, Office of the Secretary of

Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590, (202)

366-4735 or DOT Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, New

Executive Office Building, Room 3228, Washington, D.C. 20503.

Regulation Identifier Number

A regulation identifier number (RIN) is assigned to each regulatory

action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. The

Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in

April and October of each year. The RIN number contained in the heading

of this document can be used to cross reference this action with the

Unified Agenda.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 221

Air rates and fares, Agents, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements.

For the reasons set forth herein, and under authority delegated in

49 CFR 1.56(j)(2)(ii), the Department of Transportation amends 14 CFR

Part 221 as follows:

PART 221--TARIFFS

Subpart W--Electronically Filed Tariffs

1. The authority citation for Part 221 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 49 USC 40101, 40109, 40113, 46101, 46102, Chapter

411, Chapter 413, Chapter 415, and Subchapter I of Chapter 417.

2. Section 221.251 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as

follows:

Sec. 221.251 Applicability of the subpart.

(a) Any carrier, consistent with the provisions of this subpart,

and part 221 generally, may file its international passenger fares

tariffs and international passenger rules tariffs electronically in

machine-readable form as an alternative to the filing of printed paper

tariffs as provided for elsewhere in Part 221. This subpart applies to

all carriers and tariff publishing agents and may be used by either if

the carrier or agent complies with the provisions of subpart W. Any

carrier or agent that files electronically under this subpart must

transmit to the Department the remainder of the tariff, as applicable,

in a form consistent with this Part 221, subparts A through V, on the

same day that the electronic tariff would be deemed received under

Sec. 221.270(b).

* * * * *

3. Paragraph (b)(7) of section 221.260, is revised to read as

follows:

Sec. 221.260 Requirements for filing.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(7) The filer shall maintain all fares and rules with the

Department and all Departmental approvals, disapprovals and other

actions, as well as all Departmental notations concerning such

approvals, disapprovals or other actions, in the on-line tariff

database for a period of two (2) years after the fare or rule becomes

inactive. After this period of time, the carrier or agent shall provide

the Department, free of charge, with a copy of the inactive date on a

machine-readable tape or other mutually acceptable electronic medium.

* * * * *

4. Section 221.283 is amended by revising the introductory text of

paragraph (b)(8) and by adding new paragraphs (b)(9) and (b)(10) to

read as follows:

Sec. 221.283 The filing of tariffs and amendments to tariffs.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(8) Fares tariff, or proposed changes to the fares tariffs,

including: * * *

(9) Rules tariff, or proposed changes to the rules tariffs.

(i) Rules tariffs shall include:

(A) Title: General description of fare rule type and geographic

area under the rule;

(B) Application: Specific description of fare class, geographic

area, type of transportation (one way, round-trip, etc.);

(C) Period of Validity: Specific description of permissible travel

dates and any restrictions on when travel is not permitted;

(D) Reservations/ticketing: Specific description of reservation and

ticketing provisions, including any advance reservation/ticketing

requirements, provisions for payment (including prepaid tickets), and

charges for any changes;

(E) Capacity Control: Specific description of any limitation on the

number of passengers, available seats, or tickets;

(F) Combinations: Specific description of permitted/restricted fare

combinations;

(G) Length of Stay: Specific description of minimum/maximum number

of days before the passenger may/must begin return travel;

(H) Stopovers: Specific description of permissible conditions,

restrictions, or charges on stopovers;

(I) Routing: specific description of routing provisions, including

transfer provisions, whether on-line or inter-line;

(J) Discounts: Specific description of any limitations, special

conditions, and discounts on status fares, e.g. children or infants,

senior citizens, tour conductors, or travel agents, and any other

discounts;

(K) Cancellation and Refunds: Specific description of any special

conditions, charges, or credits due for cancellation or changes to

reservations, or for request for refund of purchased tickets;

(L) Group Requirements: Specific description of group size, travel

conditions, group eligibility, and documentation;

(M) Tour Requirements: Specific description of tour requirements,

including minimum price, and any stay or accommodation provisions;

(N) Sales Restrictions: Specific description of any restrictions on

the sale of tickets;

(O) Rerouting: Specific description of rerouting provisions,

whether on-line or inter-line, including any applicable charges; and

(P) Miscellaneous provisions: Any other applicable conditions.

(ii) Rules tariffs shall not contain the phrase ``intentionally

left blank''.

(10) Any material accepted by the Department for informational

purposes only shall be clearly identified as ``for information only,

not part of official tariff'', in a manner acceptable to the

Department.

5. Paragraph (c) of Sec. 221.283 is amended by redesignating

existing paragraphs (c) (8) through (15) as paragraphs (c) (9) through

(16), respectively, and by adding a new paragraph (c)(8) to read as

follows:

[[Page 18075]]

Sec. 221.283 The filing of tariffs and amendments to tariffs.

* * * * *

(c) * * *

(8) Rule text.

* * * * *

Issued in Washington DC, on this 15th day of April, 1996.

Charles A. Hunnicutt,

Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs.

[FR Doc. 96-9960 Filed 4-23-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-62-P